The Burning of Airlie Castle

The Bonnie House of Airlie

The storied landscape of Scotland is rich with tales of feuds, loyalty, and fierce battles, and among the most compelling is the burning of Airlie Castle, also known as "the Bonnie House of Airlie." This event, emblematic of the long-standing feud between the Ogilvies, Earls of Airlie, and the Campbells, Earls of Argyle, is a tale of destruction, personal vendettas, and enduring legacies.

The Feud: A Background

The feud between the Ogilvies and the Campbells was marked by continuous strife and violence, stretching across generations. Although the exact origins of the conflict remain shrouded in mystery, its impact was undeniable, causing significant disruption and devastation. This intense rivalry was so fierce that even the rugged moorland and mountainous terrain from Loch Etive to Strathtay could not contain the frequent and destructive clashes between these two powerful clans. Each skirmish, each raid, and each retaliation only served to deepen the enmity and solidify the feud's place in Scottish history.

Prelude to Destruction

In 1591, the Ogilvies were peacefully residing in Glenisla when Argyle's men launched a brutal attack, ravaging their estates and killing several people. The Ogilvie chief and his lady were forced to flee for their lives, an act that set the stage for further hostilities. This attack exemplified the brutality of the feud and highlighted the ever-present danger faced by those involved. The civil war between the Covenanters and the Royalists provided a backdrop for the feud to escalate, as the Ogilvies supported Charles I, while the Campbells aligned with the Covenanters. The Earl of Airlie, a prominent Royalist, became a key target for Argyle’s wrath due to his staunch support for the King.

The Bonnie House of Airlie

In July 1640, the feud reached its dramatic peak with the burning of Airlie Castle. Situated on a rocky promontory at the confluence of the Melgum and Isla rivers, Airlie Castle was a formidable fortress known for its strength and strategic importance. At the time, the Earl of Airlie was absent in England, aiding the Royalist cause and avoiding the pressure to subscribe to the Covenant. His absence was both a strategic necessity and a personal sacrifice, as he left his ancestral home vulnerable to attack. In his absence, his eldest son, Lord Ogilvie, was left in charge of defending the castle.

As Argyle’s army of 5,000 men approached, Lord Ogilvie recognized the futility of resistance and abandoned the castle. This decision was not made lightly; it reflected the dire circumstances and the overwhelming force of Argyle's troops. Argyle’s men plundered the fortress, taking everything they could carry before setting it ablaze. The destruction was thorough, with Argyle himself reportedly wielding a hammer to dismantle parts of the castle. This act of personal involvement underscored the depth of Argyle's animosity and his determination to see the Ogilvies suffer.

The Broader Campaign of Destruction

The burning of Airlie Castle was not an isolated incident. Argyle's forces continued their campaign, targeting other properties belonging to the Ogilvies. Forter Castle, the residence of Lord Ogilvie, met a similar fate. Lady Ogilvie, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was mercilessly turned out of the castle by Argyle, reflecting the brutal nature of the conflict. Her plea for clemency, considering her advanced pregnancy, was ruthlessly ignored, showcasing the unrelenting harshness of Argyle’s campaign. Additionally, the house of Craig in Glenisla, another Ogilvie property, was also destroyed, despite not being included in Argyle’s official commission. The relentless destruction of these properties highlighted the comprehensive nature of Argyle’s vendetta against the Ogilvies.

Argyle's Role

The Earl of Argyle played a central and active role in the devastation wrought upon the Ogilvies. With an army of 5,000 men, Argyle led his forces across the Grampians, driven by both personal resentment and an official commission from the Committee of Estates. His participation in the destruction was hands-on and zealous; historical accounts describe him taking a hammer to dismantle parts of Airlie Castle personally. This direct involvement emphasized Argyle's deep-seated animosity and commitment to weakening the Ogilvie clan. His actions were not just those of a commander but of a man deeply embroiled in a personal vendetta, making the destruction all the more significant.

Ballad of The Bonnie House o' Airlie

The events of this feud and the burning of Airlie Castle were immortalized in the ballad "The Bonnie House o' Airlie." While the ballad dramatizes the incidents, blending the burning of Airlie Castle with Forter Castle, it captures the essence of the conflict and the emotional toll on those involved. The ballad portrays the Countess of Airlie watching in anguish as her home is destroyed, a poignant symbol of the period's fierce clan loyalty and strife. Despite some historical inaccuracies, the ballad resonates with the intense emotions and cultural significance of the time. The portrayal of the Countess’s seven children, though exaggerated, underscores the profound personal loss experienced by the Ogilvies.

Enduring Impact

The burning of Airlie Castle and the broader feud between the Ogilvies and the Campbells left a lasting legacy of bitterness and retaliation. Even after the major incidents, acts of revenge continued, such as the burning of Argyle’s castle of Gloom near Dollar in 1645. These ongoing retaliations perpetuated the animosity between the clans, cementing the feud's place in Scottish history. The deep-seated resentment and the dramatic events of the feud have continued to capture the imagination and historical interest of later generations, ensuring that the story of the burning of Airlie Castle endures. This feud, emblematic of the era's brutal clan warfare, serves as a vivid reminder of the powerful forces of loyalty, revenge, and survival that shaped Scotland's historical narrative.

The tale of the Bonnie House of Airlie is a vivid reminder of the intense and often personal nature of Scottish clan conflicts. It illustrates how feuds could shape not only the lives of those directly involved but also the broader historical narrative of Scotland. The legacy of these events continues to capture the imagination and historical interest of later generations, ensuring that the story of the burning of Airlie Castle endures. The story remains a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Scottish people and their tumultuous history.

Adapted from: Lawson, J. P. (1852). Scotland: Picturesque; historical; descriptive: Being a series of views of Edinburgh and its environs; the mountains, glens, lochs, sea-coasts; and the palaces, castles, and ecclesiastical buildings of Scotland. Consisting of over seventy chromo-lithographs from original and copyright drawings. John G. Murdoch.